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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Hello, Gorgeous! Vogue Summer 2010

It's one of the most celebrated days in the sewing blogosphere - the release of the new Vogue Patterns. It's like your birthday - but it comes four times a year! March Madness for seamstresses! (Special thanks to Erica B., who was ON it - she blogged about the new designs before they even showed up on the site!) And hot damn . . . look at 1174, a strapless Cynthia Steffe design. I love everything about it, from the bustier top to the pockets. And the styling! How about the fabric? And the hair! My goodness, the hair!
My other new favorite is 1176 from Top American Designer Michael Kors. (Anyone who watches Project Runway knows that Michael Kors must always be referred to as Top American Designer Michael Kors, preferably in a chipper German accent.)

Isn't Vogue killing it with the retro styling this season? (Killing it being a positive thing in this instance.)

There are two cute new Vintage Vogues too! What's not to love about 1172?

Well, I'll admit that I don't love the styling of it on this model:

I still love the hair, don't get me wrong. I just think the fabric looks . . . cheap or something. And also - a Vintage Vogue gripe - if they're updating everything else about the pattern, couldn't they include a more modern length? It's practically to her ankles! Just think how much cuter and more accessible this would be in a knee-length!

So those are my favorites! As for the ones I'd be least likely to buy? This is always fun, so let's have at it. (Yes, I know there's a demographic for these, and they can't please everyone all the time and all that, but just let me have my little amusement.)

And lest we forget the asymmetrical hem-loving demographic (because apparently it is quite vast and influential) here's 1188:

But all in all, I think there are some real jewels here, and I am definitely buying the first two from this post.

How's about you, lovely friends? Any must-haves? Any complaints? I was interested to see that Carolyn found this collection lacking in stylish choices for the plus-size seamstress, and I'd have to agree. I'd love to hear more perspectives on the selection, so please share!

These are all great. My fav is 1176, the wiggle dress. I agree that 1172 would look better knee length. I think the artsy 1185 looks better on the model than it would on me. I think I would look like a clown. And the asymmetrical hem on 1188 would definitely hide some problem areas.

So no one's rushing out to buy 1187? LOL. What was the designer thinking on that one? I have better-looking bathrobes! Heck, even the Satin Snuggie is better ;-) And I'm with Toby on the blousy jumpsuits ... not flattering, and a total PITA when you need a bio break.

Hello from the Netherlands, I have recently discovered your blog and I love it! Regarding the new patterns, my wish list in VP is already quite full but, alas, I'll have to wait till the next sale. Just one comment about the fabric choices of VP: awful. I mean, that caftan right now looks like a Snuggie. But imagine it in a light transparent batiste, ooh, perfection. Cheers!

I would love to see the strapless dress on a model with a bust. It just doesn't suit her at all and it looks like it could just slip off her.Gertie, I can see you in that dress, along with the hair. Stunning!

Hello Gertie! Thanks for remarking that Vogue Patterns shows new patterns only 4 times a year. now I have told my little electronic agenda to remind me every 3 months.My question is: Do you know the times of the year when other pattern sites show their novelties? (I mean: Burda Style, Simplicity, Butterick, McCalls and any others that I don't know about)

Looking at the new Vogue collection was the last thing I did before bed last night. Even though I was super tired I still squealed a little "hooray!" to myself for new Vogue patterns.

My faves are the same as your first two. I MUST have them!! I wasn't too wowed about either Vintage ones, and I'm sure I have something very like 1172 in my vintage pattern collection already. I totally agree about the length they keep making them, it's not that long in the illustration!

The caftan-thingy made me cringe when I first saw it, though I think it could be kinda cool if instead they more directly channeled cocoon coats of the 1920s.

Andrea, great point about the yardage required for 1172! Yet another reason for Vogue to include a knee-length variation on their vintage offerings - that would probably save two yards of fabric!

Rebeca, I'm not entirely sure it's 4 times a year, I admit that was kind of an educated guess, knowing that they release new patterns each season. All of the other companies do as well, excepting BurdaStyle, who releases a new pattern or variation on a pattern every Monday.

Thank you, Gertie! And by the way, thank you for devoting so much time and efforts to this blog! You're one of my greatest inspirations and I actually learn something from every post! Your videos are of great help for a beginner like me. So, thanks again!

I love 1171, the vintage dress with the square collar. This is one that would be really flexible as well - you could use the bodice for all kinds of different styles, e.g. on its own as a top, with a tight skirt as a statement wiggle dress, with a short pouffy skirt as the kind of thing all the teenagers are wearing for summer, and (the one I would make first) with loose-fitting shorts to be a sailor-style jumpsuit.

I love the look on the model's face in the picture of the mauve caftan. She looks miserable! I too was disappointed that these patterns aren't drafted for plus size people. But I swear I am going to learn how to grade up successfully! I am not going to let Vogue or anybody else dictate what I can or cannot wear - so there :)))

It's nice to see some vintage-inspired looks by Vogue's summer collection. Although I do get enthusiastic, I also have to remind myself of the fact that I don't fit commercial patterns very well, and I'm still a poor tissue fitter... Anyhow, patterns will always be of great inspiration!

I actually had a great-aunt named Dotty who was a priestess in the Unitarian church and she wore a dress EXACTLY like that caftan for every service. She also dyed her hair(which was eternally in a huge beehive) and her poodle pink, had a pink house, pink jewelry, pink fingernails, a pink 60's-something pinto, pink everything! Some people can pull off the craziest stuff! You'll never catch me dead in that thing, but I do appreciate that vogue offers these patterns for those people who are just more, um...liberated? to wear the impossible. As for your picks gertie, I love them! I do think the first one looks wierd on the modelIt just looks too short on both ends for her body. Love the hair, but I think it would look smashing on you.

I love everything you posted but I have to admit something. I own that first dress. It's by Milly and I bought it to wear to a wedding in 2007. And one of the things I loved most about the dress, the pockets. Take a look and tell me its not incredibly similar:

I admit, mine has a higher waist and its a bit fuller but otherwise, it is pretty darn similar.

So that brings me to a topic for you...what constitutes inspiration vs. copying? Forever 21 & Steve Madden have been in the center of several lawsuits from higher end designers on this specific topic. And the designs in question are spot on, down to the buttons & trim.

Obviously, on this, it was the strapless design & the fabric that jumped out to me.

1174, just amazing. All other projects will have to be put on hold to make this one! Now to just wait for Joanne's to have another pattern sale, argh. (That red rose fabric you posted yesterday would be adorable for that dress!)

And 1171-I love the sailor-esque neck. I have a vintage dress just like it that I wear all the time-I am so happy there is now a pattern to make more!

But um, yeah, those other patterns-what the what?! The season's collection goes from gorgeous fitting to ghastly frump wear. I am ashamed to admit in the 90's my mom made me a few versions of 1185 in a Laura Ashly pattern, luckily I have enough sense now NOT to wear that!

I haven't sewn with a Vintage Vogue release yet, but personally I'm glad they don't update the skirt length or anything else about the pattern. It would null the whole point of it being a Vintage Vogue. There's plenty enough of vintage-inspired dresses out there that provide a shorter length. You know that there's a demographic as well for people who want to sew from original, unadulterated vintage patterns, whether it's for an event or how they like to dress all the time. I could see the length being a little improved more around her calf, but I always think these things look better at the hem that was intended - the proportions always look off when they're shortened, especially to above the knee (which, hey, is easy enough to do on your own if you don't want the tea length).

I think they made a mistake picking that print, or any at all. You can't notice the details or princess seaming at all.

I agree with Mae and some other posters: there are some real dogs (V1175) V1187, etc) in this collection. When did the saque dress come back in fashion? In fairness, there are a couple of good ones here too: V1181 and V8659. Come, on Joanne's/Hancock sales!

I love the Cynthia Steffe and Kors patterns. The two new Kay Unger patterns are really nice too, if not precisely my style. I like the vintage vogues, and I am really appreciative that Vogue continues to release them while the other companies seem to have stopped, but I wish they would choose some more imaginative patterns - there are some really great patterns from the 50s, if that's the favorite era, that aren't so plain. I'd also love to see an occasional vintage vogue that is for separates like Simplicity occasionally does. I know they made separates because I have some of the patterns - some great blouses and skirts!

I really don't know where Vogue gets the idea that people will make the crazier designs. I'm certain there had to be some beautiful designer looks they could have licensed - but these aren't it!

The last Vogue pattern release had me hiding my wallet for fear of breaking the bank and although there are several here I love and will be buying asap, the majority are an resounding flop ~ yes, the bank is safe. I'm interested in fashion forward or cutting edge looks, not dowdy drunkard, aged artiste, child's programming character or sail.

The strapless dress is beautiful, vogue did pretty well this season, a few questionable designs but they have given a a few beauty's too! I agree with Rachael there are some people who love and can pull off some of the "crazy" stuff, it may not be to my taste but just think if we were the minority and wanting a full skirted strapless number and all we could find were snuggies? A little something for everyone :-)Ruby Slippersrubyslippersvintage.blogspot.com

I always find the Vintage Vogue 'real-life' pictures so off-putting. The dresses never seem to fit the models properly, nor do they ever seem to get the original look quite right -- 1172 being a case in point. That bodice all but swamps the poor model, and what is with that length? I'm very much a New Look girl and like my hems mid calf, but this is ridiculous. And I agree about the yardage. It's the kind of dress that might have originally required that amount of fabric, but that would have been in a 36" width. Also when you think how many fabulous original vintage Vogue patterns there are out there, yet Vogue always seem to mine exactly the same look in their 'Vintage Vogue' range. All a bit disappointing really. Makes me want to hit eBay for some of the real stuff!

Of all of the ones you showcased I think the Michale Kors is my favorite. I love 1172, and when I saw it I immediately thought of you. Same with 1171. Not loving the caftan at all, even if it does come with the Rucci label.

I think we are being a bit mean about the Chado Ralph Rucci. Think of the money it will save you in airfares! Is it a bird, is it a plane, no it's a Chado Ralph Rucci.

I love Vintage Vogue, but agree they are starting to have a similarity about them. I adore a full skirted frock, I really do, but there's a limit to how many a girl can have in her wardrobe. When are Vogue going to release the bow-tie blouse?

Love your blog Miss Gertie, it's one of my daily habits. When are you coming to Sydney for tea?

I am partial to the demure daydress 1171. Most designs I see are very structured and 40's/50's going out for the evening-inspired. 1171 looks a tad bit like some of the everyday-wear I saw on very old ladies growing up. I am glad to see daydresses coming into the vintage look and with shirtdresses now back in I think this one will push the envelope if you can think of a housedress doing that.

I'm sure someone in the sewing blogosphere has already alerted you, but the Vogue website has a ridiculous sale on at the moment - all Vogue patterns seem to be $3.99 and McCall's $2.99. I just got 5 patterns for $25 including shipping and sales tax!

I just love your blog and I am totally new to this. I just signed up and I'm happy to be here. I am so in love with the Vogue patterns and the vintage ones are so so beautiful. I teach sewing and I am going to turn all of my student's into Gertie fans.

Oh, I love the Caftan...I can see using a beautiful Kente/Afrocentric Print--mud cloth may be to heavy--perhaps using a linen blend and then adding some artwork (fabric paints)...I love wearable art...

I love the jumper--I can see some creativity coming on...However, I realize wearable art is not for everybody...I pull it off quite well!!